BGB-BSF 55th Border Conference to Begin in New Delhi Tomorrow

Dhaka: The 55th Border Conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) will begin in New Delhi on Monday, February 17. The four-day conference will run until February 20. This year’s meeting marks a significant development, as Bangladesh is set to present a firm stance on issues, instead of adopting a passive approach. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August last year due to a student-led uprising, this will be the first high-level meeting between the two sides.

At the meeting, BGB is expected to take a strong position on border killings, unauthorized BSF incursions into Bangladesh, and their illegal activities. Multiple sources have indicated that Bangladesh is ready to raise these issues assertively.

On January 29, Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Advisor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, hinted at a tougher stance in the conference. He stated that the tone of Bangladesh’s approach would be different this time, with a clear demand to end border killings. He also highlighted that the conference would discuss several important matters.

According to a press release issued by BGB’s Public Relations Officer, Md Shariful Islam, the issues of border fencing by India and attacks on civilians will be given priority at the conference. The Bangladesh delegation will be led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, with 14 members, including senior officials from BGB, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Shipping, the Land Survey Department, and the Joint River Commission. On the Indian side, the 13-member delegation will be led by BSF Director General D.K. Singh Choudhury, with senior BSF officers and officials from India’s Home and Foreign Ministries.

The conference will also address several crucial issues such as shooting unarmed Bangladeshi civilians, preventing border killings, abductions, and illegal activities. The meeting will focus on combating the smuggling of various illicit goods, including drugs, arms, and ammunition from India into Bangladesh. Moreover, the discussion will cover illegal border crossings, especially the influx of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals through the Indian border into Bangladesh.

Other key issues include halting the construction of unauthorized structures within 150 yards of the border, the installation of water treatment plants to address wastewater drainage from four border canals, and addressing regional insurgency activities. The meeting aims to implement coordinated border management strategies and enhance bilateral relations while fostering mutual trust and cooperation. This is the first top-level discussion between the two border forces since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. The last biannual border talks were held in Dhaka in March 2024.